IAB reader snaps the Hyundai ix25 along a beach - Spied

Indian Autos Blog reader, Mr. Manoj Prabakaran, snapped the Hyundai ix25 compact SUV in the city of Chennai recently. As reported earlier, the ix25 will be the biggest launch for the Korean car maker in India this year which plans to introduce the vehicle in the August-September period.

India would likely be the second market in the world to get the ix25. It is currently on sale only in China.

For the Indian market though, the ix25 could be given a different name, and local market changes, like a different grille or bumper, could find their way on the compact SUV as well. Even then, reports state that Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has invested over INR 1,000 Cr in the project to achieve localization of nearly 90 percent, which is an indication that prices will be competitive.

For the Indian market, the ix25 would be powered by the same engines used on the Verna sedan. These include 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines, and possibly even a 1.4-liter diesel engine for an entry-level variant. It remains to be seen if HMIL offers automatic transmission or 4WD capability on its Duster rival.

HMIL has been benchmarking the ix25 with the EcoSport (seen in image) and the Renault Duster.

HMIL is expected to kit the ix25 with features such as projector headlights, diamond cut alloy wheels, multifunction steering wheel, a Bluetooth-enabled music system, automatic climate control, reverse camera and parking sensors and rear AC vents, thus making it feature rich in comparison to the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.